Sprinkling system



4 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v l/EA/ 70R GEO/F65 H. L ELAND.

his ATTORNEY 1934' G. H. LELAND SPRINKLING SYSTEM Filed May 25. 1932Nov. 6, 1934- e. H. LELAND SPRINKLING SYSTEM Filed May 23. 1932 4Sheets-Sheet 3 HIHI IIIIIHI //v VENTOH. GEORGE/7 LELAND his L47'7'ORNE YNov. 6, 1934', G. H. LELAND 1,979,477

SPRINKLING SYSTEM Filed May 23. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nvvavroe Fl EEYGEOFPGEH LELAND. M, Q

his ATTORNEY Patented Nevis, 1934' PATENT OFFICE 1,979,477 a .SPRINKLINGSYSTEM George H. Leland, Dayton,

Ohio, assignor of onehalf to The Leland Electric Company, Dayton, Ohio,a corporation of Ohio Application May 23, 1932-, Serial No. 612,949

29 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to a sprinkling system but may beapplied to other liquid distributing systems where similarproblems areencountered.

It is common practice to equip large lawns with permanently installedsprinkler heads which are connected by underground pipes with a sourceof water supply, the sprinkler heads being suflicient in number and soarranged .as to sprinkle the entire lawn. Where an ample supply of waterat a constant pressure is available all the sprinkler heads may beoperated simultaneously, but in many cases, particularly in suburbandistricts, either the .water supply or the pressure in the system isinsuflicient to operate all the sprinkler heads at the same time and itis necessary to connect them in groups and to operate the groupssuccessively, and this greatly prolongs the time required to sprinklethe entire lawn. Ordinarily the connections between'the several groupsof sprinkler heads and the main supply pipe are. controlled by handvalves and the attention of an operator is required over a long periodof time to cause the several groups of sprinkler heads to operate insuccession and to so time the operation of each group that all parts ofthe lawn will receive substantially the same amount of water.

One object of the present invention is to pro! I vide a sprinklingsystem of this type with automatic operating mechanism to successivelyconnect the several groups of sprinkler heads with the source of watersupply and to cause each group to operate for a predetermined period oftime.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a sprinkling systemwith motor operated mechanism for successively connecting the severalgroups of sprinkler heads with the main supply pipe, and with means forstopping the motor when the system as a whole has been operated for apredetermined period of time or through a predetermined number ofcycles. p

A further object of the invention is to provide such a motor operatedmechanism with means to insure the disconnection of all groups ofsprinklen heads from the supply pipe when the motor is stopped at theend ofthe predetermined sprinkling period. A further object of theinvention is to provide such a sprinkling system which will becontrolled by the pressure in the supply line to maintain a connectionbetween the supply line and one group of sprinkler heads until thepressure falls below normal, to then close the valve and, when thepressure has been restored to normal, to connect heads.

a temporary drop in pressure in the supply line.

operated valve actuating device; and Fig. 15 is a the supply line withanother group of sprinkler A further object of the invention is toprovide such a sprinkling system with means forclosing the valve andmaintaining the same closed during Other objects of the invention willappear as the apparatus is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic lay-out of a partof a sprinkler 85 system embodying my invention;.Fig. 2 is a circuitdiagram for the preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is acircuit diagram of a system having means for closing the valve duringtemporary low pressure; Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram for a system inwhich the sprinkling periods are controlled by the pressure in the supply line; Fig. 5 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of thedistribution controlling mechanism; Fig. 6 is a side vievnof a mechanismshown in Fig. 5, partly in section and partly in elevation; Fig. 7 is afront elevation of the starting and timing mechanism; Fig. 8 is asection taken on the line 88 of Fig. '7; Fig. 9 is a section taken onthe line 9-'9 ofFig. 8; Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 1010 ofFig. 8; Fig. 11 is a detail view of the setting cam for the timingmechanism; Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 6,through the valve Fig. 13 is a detail of the movable valvemember; Fig.14 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of a pressure detail viewof a modified arrangement of the motor switches.

The system here illustrated comprises a distributing unit, indicated bythe letter A in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, and a timing unit, indicated by theLetter B in Figs. 1, 7 and 8. The distributing unit comprises a valvewhich is connected with a supply pipe 20 and with a plurality of branchis connected with a plurality of distributing heads I 22. Usually thedistributing unit is mounted in a pit below the surface of the lawn andthe controlling unit is located at a point more or less remotetherefrom, as in the basement of a house. The valve may be of anysuitable character which will successively connect the several branchpipes with the supply pipe. As here shown, itv com-' prises a casing 23having an inlet 24 which is connected with the supply pipe 20 and havinga plurality of outlets 25 which are connected with the respective branchpipes 21. Preferably, the several outlets are formed in the front wall26 of the casing, which is removable to permit acpipes 21, each of whichis further divided and its is mounted on a shaft 29 which is journaledin terposed between'the inlet and the outlets is a rotatable valvemember which is here shown as a disk 27 having a single port 28 arrangedto be 1,979,477 cess to be had to the interior of the casingfl 1'nmovedsuccessively into register with the outlets bearings 30 and 31 in thecasing. The pressure of the water on the rear side of the valve member.

or disk may be suflicient to hold the same tightly in engagement withits seat but I preferto apply spring pressure to the valve member toinsure its being held tightly on its seat. I have therefore looselymounted the valve disk on the shaft 29 and have provided the hub of thedisk with a short slot 32 into which projects a pin '33 carried by theshaft, so that the disk is caused to rotate with the shaft but may havea limited movement lengthwise thereof.- A concave resilient disk 34 isinterposed between the hub of the disk and the bearing 30 to press thedisk toward its seat.

The valve may be driven ,from any suitable source of power butpreferably it is driven by an electric motor which may be connectedtherewith in any suitable manner. As shown in the drawings, -a motor 35is frame 36 which supports the -several parts of the distributing unit..It is, of course, necessary to greatly reduce the speed of the motor asapplied to therotary valve member and, in the present instance, I haveemployed a planetary speed reducing mechanism which comprises a gear 37rigidly secured to the shaft 29 and a second gear 38 loosely mountedabout the shaft 29 and held against rotation, as by means of pins 39extending through the gear and into a fixed part of gears 3'7 and 38..

the structure.. These gears are of the same diameter but have adifferent number ,of teeth. Preferably the gear 37, which is secured tothe shaft, has one tooth more than the gear 38. Meshing with the gears37 and 38 are two pair of pinions 40, the pinions of each pair beingrigidly connected one to on a stud 41 carried by a gear 42 which isrotatably-mounted on the shaft 29 and is of a diameter substantiallygreater than the diameter of the This gear 42 meshes with a pinion 43with whichis rigidly connected a gear 44 which meshes witha pinion 45 onthe shaft 46 of the motor 35. It therefore, that the gear 42 is drivenat a much reduced speed and that the gear 37 will be advanced a distanceof one tooth only for each complete rotation of the gear 42.

' The motor 35 is .directly connected with-one side, or conductor, 47 ofthe power line and is connected with the other side 48 of the .powerline through certain controlling devices. In the present constructionthese connections are such as to constitute an operating circuit. Asshown in Fig. 2 the line 48 54, which is shown as a two-contact mercurytube switch; this switch beingconnected by a conductor 55 with themounted on a bracket-likethe other and mounted ill be. apparent,-

is connected bya conductor 49 with a cut-off switch 50 which is hereshown motor. These several conductors and switches constitute theoperating .cir-

cuit for the-motor, that is, the circuit which causes the operation ofthe motor to advance the valve from one position to another. The

switch 54 is so controlled that it will be opened when the valve ismoved toan open position,

that is, to a position which will connect the supply pipe 20 with one ofthe several'branch pipes.

until further movement has been imparted to'the valve, after apredetermined period of time con- The switch will be retained'in this,open position stituting a sprinkling period, and will then be closed tocomplete the circuit through the motor and cause the valve to beadvanced'to another open position. It will. be noted that the cut-off-tuated by a controlling device which is here shown as a disk 59 rigidlysecured to the valve shaft 29, and therefore driven by the motor, andhaving a series of studs 60 projecting from one- '100 face thereof,corresponding in number. to the number of outlets in the valve andspaced equal distances apart. The arrangement of the studs is such thatwhen the port 28 of the movable valve member is moved into register withone of the outlets 25 the corresponding stud 60 of the controllingdevicewill engage'the trip arm 58 and tilt the valve 54 toits openposition, thus stopping the motorwith the valve in sprinkling position.Inasmuchas the motor and valve stop as soon as the switch is openeditwill be apparent thatthe controlling device will remain in engagementwith the trip arm and hold the valve open until the controllingtdeviceis again actuated to release the switch and permit the same to close. Itwill be notedthat the switch supporting bracket is pivoted near one endthereof sothat the switch. moves by gravity to its closed position, thismovement being limited by a pin- 61 in the bracket which engages theperiphery of the disk 59.

A suitable timing device is provided for causing the controlling deviceto be advanced after a predetermined sprinkling period and thus causethemotor to move the valve to connect the next succeeding outlet withthe supply pipe. In the present instance, the timing devicealsoconstitutes a starting device and imparts initial movement to themotor sufiicient to actuate the controlling device far enough to causethe controlling switch 54 to be closed. 'For this purpose the motor 35is provided with a starting and timing circuit which comprises aconductor 62 connected.

' with the line 48 and with one. contact of a twocontact mercury tubeswitch 63, the other contact of which is connected by a conductor 64,switch 65 and conductor 166 with the motor, the conductor 166 beingshown as connected with the operating circuit between the motor and thecontrolling switch 54. The switch 65 is normally closed and has no partin the starting of the motor. The starting and timing switch 63 has itscontacts arranged near the respectiveends of the tube so that thecircuit will be opened through that switch when the latter is tilted ineither direction and will be closed only when the tube is in asubstantially horizontal position. Theswitch is preferably operated froma suitable motor, such as at? induction motor 167, which operates.continuously and oscillates the switch anism, which will be hereinafterdescribed, op-

erates very slowly and as it moves the switch across its horizontalposition the contacts will be connected for a brief interval which,however, will be sufficient to cause the motor 35 to actuate the shaft29 and move the controlling device 59 out of engagement with the triparm for the controlling switch, thereby closing the operating circuitand causing the motor to continue in operation until another stud 60 ofthe controlling. device has engaged the trip arm and opened thevcontrolling switch. The speed at whicltthe starting and timing switch 63is operated may be varied to provide any desired interval between theclosings of that switch; For example, it may be driven at such a speedthat it will make one complete oscillation in ten minutes, thusproviding a five minute interval between eachsuccessive closing thereof,andcausing each branch pipe to remain in communication with the mainsupply for a five minute period.

The mechanism will continue to operate until the circuit through themotor has been permanently interrupted. This, of course, may be donemanually but in the present construction the cutoff switch 50 is timeoperated, being preferably operated from the motor that operates thestarting and timing switch. This motor may be set to cause the cut-offswitch to open after a predetermined period of time, say four hours, orafter a predetermined number of cycles or revolutions of the valvemember. When the cut-off switch is tilted from the position shown inFig. 2 it will break the circuit between the conductors 49 and 53 andthus open the operating circuit and stop the motor. It is important,however that when the motor is permanently stopped the valve should bein its closed or neutral position, that is, the port 28 of the movablevalve member should be located between two of the outlets, and it is forthis purpose that the switch 65 has been interposed inthe starting andtiming circuit. This switch 65 is controlled in accordance with themovements of the valve member 27 so that it will be open when the port28 of the valve member is in a-neutral position and will be closed whenthat port is moved into line with one of the outlets.

The switches 65 and 54 cannot both be opened at the same time. In thepresent construction the switch 65 is carried by a bracket 66 mounted onthe stud 5'7, alongside the switch 54, and provided with a trip arm 6'7arranged in the path of a series of studs 68 carried by the disk 59 ofthe controlling device and projecting from that face of the diskopposite the studs 60. The studs 68 are also equal iii number to theoutlets and are so arranged that they will engage the trip arm 67 andopen the-switch 65 when the valve is in a neutral position. When thestud 68 moves out of engagement with the trip arm 67 the switch 65 willmove by gravity to its closed position, this movement being limited by apin 69 carried by the arm 67 and adapted to engage the periphery of thedisk 59. The second end contact 70 of the cut-off switch 50 is connectedby a conductor '71 with the starting and timing circuit between thestarting and timing switch 63 and the switch 65. As has been stated, theswitch 65 is closed when the switch 54 is opened. Consequently if thecut-off switch is actuated to open the operating circuit while the valveis in sprinkling position it will at the same time close the lower partof the starting circuit, through the switches 50 and 65, thereby causingthe motor to continue to operate the timing motor.

the switch 65 is opened, the opening of the switch 65permanentlystopping the motor. It will. be noted that the timing motoris connected in a circuit 67a leading from the motor operating circuit,beyond the cut-off switch 50, to the line 47. Therefore, when thecut-off switch is opened as above described the circuit will be brokenthrough When the operation of the mechanism is to be again initiated thecut-off switch is moved to its closed position and the controllingswitch 54 having been closed prior to the openingof the switch 65, theclosing of the cutoff switch 50 will complete the circuit through themotor and set the mechanism in operation. It

will be apparent that the switch 65 will be opened and closed duringeach movement of the valve member from one position to another, but aslong as the cut-off switch is in a position to close the operatingcircuit this movement of the switch 65 until the valve is moved to aneutral position and is an idle movement and has no affect on theoperation of the mechanism.

As has been stated, the timing mechanism may be of any suitablecharacter but, in the present instance, I have employed an inductionmotor of the disk type, this motor comprising the usual disk '72 andmagnets 73. The shaft '74 which carries the disk 72 is rotatably mountedin a suitable frame, a portion of which is shown at 74, and one end ofthe shaft carries a pinion -'76 which meshes with a gear 77 havingrigidly sepinions of each pair being rigidly connected one to the otherand carried by a stud 85 mounted in the gear '79, thus causing the motorto drive the sleeve 83 at a very low rate of speed. Rigidly secured tothe sleeve 83 is a cam 86 which, in the present instance, has a sirfglenotch 87 in the peripheral surface thereof. Pivotally mounted above thecam and extending about the same are two curved actuating arms 88 eachof which has a nose or projection 89 adapted to enter the recess 87 inthe cam once during each rotation thereof. A spring 90 acts on the arms88 to hold the same in contact with the cam and to actuate the same whenone of the projections 89 enters the recess 87. The lower ends of thearms 88 are spaced a short distance apart. The starting and timingswitch 63 is carried by a bracket 91 pivotally mounted on a stud92arranged beneath the shaft 80 and this bracket has a trip arm 93 whichextends upwardly between the ends of the actuating arms 88. Consequentlywhen the nose of one of the arms 88 enters the'recess in the cam thatarm will actuate the switch and move the trip arm into a position to beactuated by the other arm 88 when the cam has completed another halfrotation. The recess in the cam is so shaped that the switch will moveslowly across its horizontal position.

Rigidly mounted on the sleeve 83, adjacent to the cam 86, is a disk 94which carries near its outer edge a stud 95 on which is mounted a pinion96. This pinion meshes with two gears 9'7 and 98, the gear 97 beingrigidly secured to the shaft 80 and the gear 98 being securedto a sleeve99 which is rotatably and slidably mounted on the shaft 80. The gear 98has one' more tooth than the gear 97. Consequently, the sleeve 99 may berotated at a much lower rate of speed than is the cam 86. Rigidlysecured tov the sleeve'99 is a cam 100 having a recess 101 whichcontrols the operation of a single'actuatingarm 102 similar to theactuating arms 88. A second arm 103is shown but this arm is fixedagainst movement and, in the'present instance,'merely forms a supportfor one end of the spring 104 which actuates the arm 102. The cut-oil?switch is supported ,open the operating circuit. The sleeve 99 isprovided with a dial 107 and with an actuating knob- 108 by means ofwhich the sleeve may bemoved axially to draw the gear 98 out of meshwith the pinion 96, and thereby permit the sleeve and dial to be rotateduntil a given designation on the dial registers with the fixed pointer109. The sleeve. is then released .and is returned by a spring 110 toits operative position. The cam and the dial being rigidly secured tothe sleeve 99 the setting-of the dial will space the notch 101 in thecam a fixed distance fromthe nose on the actuating arm, this distancebeing indicated by the marking on the dial, which marking may representhours, the number of cycles of operation or the like. Consequently thecontinued operation of the induction motor. will slowly return the camand dial to their normal positions and when they reach those positionsthe actuating arm 102 will operate to open the cut-out switch. Attached1 the inner side of the cam 100, and formed integral therewith ifdesired, is an extension cam 111 of a diameter corresponding to thediameter of the cam 100 but having a notch 112 the wall of which slopesgradually in a reverse direction, 'that is, slopes past the abrupt facein the cam 100. When the sleeve 99 has been moved outwardly to withdrawthe gear 98 from the pinion 96 the nose of the actuating arm will engagethe extension cam 111 and because of the sloping wall of the recess 11-2the cam may then be easily rotated to force the arm 102 outwardly andwhen the dial has upon the surface of the cam extension which is fiushwith the adjacent surface of the cam 100, thus permitting that cam tomove into engagement with the nose on the actuating arm.

In some instances a sprinkling system of this type operates underconditions where the water supply and pressure are ample so long as thewhole supply is' available to the sprinkler system but if some otheroutlet from the source of supply is opened during the operation of thesprinkler system the pressure will drop to such an extent that thesprinklers will not operate properly. Where sprinkler heads of thepop-up type are employed a certain definite pressure is required to movethe same to operative position. I have therefore provided means fordiscontinuing the operation of the sprinkler system when the waterpressure drops below a predetermined point and holding the sameinoperative until the pressure has been restored to normal. For thispurpose I employ a supplemental pressure operated switch. Thearrangement shown in Fig. 3 is identical with that-shown in Fig. 2, withthe exceptionthat I have added two switches, one a pressure operated.sure in the supply line that when that pressure is normal the switch114 will be closed but when the pressure drops below a predeterminedpoint 4 that switch will open and thus break the circuit through themotor. The switch 115 is'conneeted between the conductor 55 of theoperating circuit and the conductor 66 of the timing'circuit andcomprises a mercury tube switch which, in the w present instance, ismounted on the same supportingbracket 66 that carries the switch 65, asshown in Fig. 15, the arrangement being such that the switch 115, aswell as the switch 65 will be normally closed but will be opened whenthe 1 valve is moved to a neutral position. In the normal'operation ofthis arrangement current will fiow from the switch 54 through either orboth of the switches 11d and 115 to the motor. If the pressure dropsbelow a predetermined point '14 during a sprinkling period, that is,while the switch 54 is open, the switch 114 will be opened but this willhave .no immediate, effect upon the system as the sprinkling willcontinue until the timing switch 63 closes the starting circuit 1through the switch 65 to the motor, thus actuating the controllingdevice to cause the switch 54 to beclosed. The timing switch willimmediately open but the switch 54 having been closed current will fiowfrom that switch through the switch 1; 115, which is at that timeclosed, to the motor and the motor will continue to operate until thevalve is moved to a neutral or closed position, at which time both theswitch 115 and the switch 65 will be opened and the motor stopped,thereby 1; terminating the operation of the system until the pressure isrestored to normal. It will be noted that when the motor was finallystopped the switch 54. was closed. Consequently when the pressure isrestored to normal and the switch 114 '15 moved to its closed positionthe mechanism will resume its normal cycle of operations. It will beapparent that the sprinkling may continue for some little time after thedrop. in pressure but the pressure valve is so set that it will openbefore 1; the pressure has dropped to such a point-as to render thesystem completely inoperative.

There are other conditions of operation in which a water supply andpressure suflicient to operate the system cannot be maintained for anyconsiderable period of time. For example, the system may be connectedwith a tank in which the water is stored under air pressureand thecapacity of the pump which delivers the water to the tank may be lessthan the requirements of the system. .When the tank is pumped up tocapacity pressure it will operate the system for a period of time, sayfrom five to ten minutes, before the pressure will drop to a point wherethe system will not properly operate. To take care of such a situation Ihave provided another embodiment of the invention which isof such acharacter that the operation of the sprinkling mechanism will beinterrupted at intervals to permit the pressure in the line .to berestored to normal. 1 This may be accomplished by inserting in theoperating circuit and in the starting circuit a switching device whichis so controlled as to maintain the operation of the sprinklingmechanism while there is sumcient pressure in the line and to 1,

then interrupt the sprinkling operation until the pressure is againbuilt up. Such a switching device may be actuated by anysuitable meansat any suitable intervals but I prefer to actuate the switching deviceby pressure controlled mechanism and thus cause the intervals to bedirectly controlled by the pressure in the line. Such a system; is shownin Fig. 4, where the operating circuit for the valve actuating motor 116con? sists of a conductor 11'? leading from the motor to a controllingswitch 118, a conductor 119 leading from switch 118 to a cut-off switch120, a conductor 121 leading from the cut-ofi switch to a pressureoperated switch 122 and a conductor 123 leading from thepressure-operated switch to the power line. The starting circuitcomprises a conductor 124 leading from the pressure operated switch to aswitch 125 and a conductor 126 leading from the switch 125 to the motor.The controlling switch 118 is similar to the switch 54 above describedand is controlled in the same manner, that is, it is moved to its openposition when the valve is in sprinkling position. The cut-off switch120 is normally closed and may be moved to its open position either bytiming mechanism such as above described, or manually. The switch 125 inthe starting circuit is similar to the switch and is controlled in thesame manner, that is, it is normally closed but is opened when the valveis in its closed or neutral position. The pressure operated switch 122is controlled according to the pressure in the supply line and isoperated by mechanism which will move it to a position to close theoperating circuit when the pressure rises to a predetermined point, sayfor example, fifty pounds, and will move it to a position to open theoperating circuit and close the starting circuit when the pressure dropsto a predetermined point, say thirty pounds. switches in the positionshown in Fig. 4 the controlling switch 118 is open and therefore thevalve is in sprinkling position. The sprinkling operation will continueuntil the pressure falls to the lower level at which time the switch 122will be tilted to open the operating circuit, independently of switch118, and to close the starting circuit, through the switch 125. Theswitch 125 being closed at the time the switch 122 is shifted currentwill flow through the motor and the latter will operate until the valveis moved to its cult is broken at the pressure switch the motor willremain idle until the pressure has again reached the higher level andthe pressure switch is again tilted to open the starting circuit andclose the operating circuit. Thus the length of each sprinkling periodis determined by the pressure in the line and following eachinterruption of the sprinkling, due to a fall in pressure, the valve isactuated to connect another branch pipe with the supply pipe so thatwhen pressure again rises another group of sprinkler heads will operate.

The pressure valves of the system shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be operatedin-any suitable manner but in Fig, 14 I have shown one type of mechanismwhich may beutilized to operate either of these valves. As there shown,the switch .122 is mounted in a bracket 127 which is pivotally mountedon a shaft 128. The shaft is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 129and has rigidly secured thereto two arms 130 and 131 which are spacedone from the other and arranged on oppo- With the 5 site sides of thecross bar of the bracket. A spring 132 connected with the shaft tends torotate the same in a direction to cause the arm 130 to engage thebracket and move the switch in one direction,

in the present instance to a position to close thestarting circuit. Theshaft is also connected by a flexible strap 133 with a plunger 134 whichis connected with a sylphon 135, the sylphon being in communication withthe supply line. Consequently as pressure rises in the system thesylphon will operate to cause the arm 131 to engage the bracket and tiltthe switch to a position to open the operating circuit and close thestarting circuit, when applied to the system shown in Fig. 4. The tubesupporting bracket is so mounted, that it will be held by gravity ineither position to which it has been moved. Consequently as the pressuredrops the switch will remain stationary until the arm 130 again engagesthe bracket and moves the same in the other direction.

Whlie I have shown and described certain embodiments of my inventionIwish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to thedetails thereof as various modifications may occ to a person skilled inthe art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In -a sprinkling system or the like comprising a supply pipe, aplurality of branch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branchpipes successively with said supply pipe, and power operated means foractuating said valve, mechanism to control the operation of said valvecomprising two separately operable devices, means for operating one ofsaid'devices in timed relation to said valve to cause the operatio'nofsaid valve by said actuating means to be interrupted when said valve isin a position to connect one of said branch pipes with said supply pipe,and means operating independently of said valve to actuate the other ofsaid devices to cause the first mentioned device to be moved to aposition to cause said actuating means to moved said valve to a positionto connect another branch pipe with said supply pipe.

2. In a sprinkling system or the like comprising a supply pipe, aplurality of branch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branchpipes successively with said supply pipe. and power operated means foractuating said (valve, mechanism to control the operation of saidvalvecomprising two separately operable devices, means operated by saidactuating means in timed relation to said valve to cause one of saiddevices to interrupt the operation of said valve by said actuating meanswhen said valve has been moved to a position to connect one of saidbranch pipes with said supply pipe, and means for actuating the other ofsaid devices to cause said actuating means to operate independently ofthe first mentioned device for an interval sufiicient to move the firstmentioned device to a position to cause the continued operation of saidactuating means.

3. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively by said motor.

4. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipe, a motor to operate said valve, acontrolling device connected with said valve and having means forinterrupting the operation of said motor when said valve has been 'movedto a position to connect one of said branch and to move said controllingdevice to a position to cause the continued operation of said motor.

5. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, 'a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply' pipe, a motor to operate said valve, acontrolling device driven by said motor and having means to interruptthe operation of said valve by said motor when said valve has been movedto a position to connect one of said branch pipes with said supply pipe,means to cause said motor tomove said controlling device to a positionto cause said valve to be again actuated by said motor, and timecontrolled means to interrupt the operation of said motor after a modetermined period of time.

6. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a-multieport valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively I with said supply pipe, a motor to operate said valve, acontrolling device driven by said motor and having means to interruptthe operation of said valve by said motor when said valve has been movedto a position to connect one of said branch pipes with said supply pipe,means to cause said motor to move said controlling device to a positionto cause said valve to be again actuated by saidmotor, time controlledmeans to interrupt the operation of said motor after a predeterminedperiod of time, and means controlled by said controlling device toprevent the operation of saidmotor from being interrupted until saidvalve is in a position to disconnect all of said driven by said motorand having mearis to open said controlling switch when said valve ismoved to a position to connect one of said branch pipes to said supplypipe, a normally open starting switch connected in circuit with saidmotor independently of said controlling switch, and automaticallyoperated means to close, said starting switch while said controllingswitch is open and thereby cause said controlling'device to beactuating' said valve, a controlling switch connected in circuit withsaid motor, a controlling device driven by said motor and having meansto open said controlling switch when said valve is moved to a positionto connect one of said branch pipes to said supply pipe, a normally openstarting switch connected in circuit with said motor independently ofsaid controlling switch, automatically operating means to close saidstarting switch while said controlling switch is open and thereby causesaid controlling device to beactuated to cause said controlling switchto be closed, and to then open said starting switch, a normally closedswitch connected in circuit with said motor, time controlled means forbreaking the circuit for said controlling switch and closing the circuitfor said normally closed-switch, and means for opening in circuit withsaid motor, a controlling device driven by said motor and having meansto open said controlling switch when said valve is moved to a positionto connect one of said branch pipes to said supply pipe, a normally openstarting switch connected'in circuit with said motor independently ofsaid controlling switch, automatically operating means to close saidstarting switch while said controlling switch is open and thereby causesaid controlling device to be actu- I .ated to cause said controllingswitch tobe closed and to .then open said starting switch, a normallyclosedswitch connected in circuit with said. motor, time controlledmeans for breaking the circuit for said controlling switch and closingthe circuit, for said normally closed switch, and means controlled bysaid controlling device for opening said normallyclosed switch when saidvalve-is closed.

10. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipe, an electric motor for operating saidvalve, a switch to control the operation of said motor, a controllingdevice for said switch actuated by said motor and soarranged that whensaid valve is in a position to'connect -one of said branch pipes withsaid supply pipe said switch will be open, a second switch connectedwith said motor, independently of the first mentioned switch, and meansfor closing said second switch at intervals to actuate said motor andsaid controlling device to cause the first men- & tioned switch to beclosed and to then open said second switch.

11. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-port' valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipe, an electric motor for operating saidvalve, an operating circuit for said motor, astarting circuit for saidmotor, and

means operated in timed relation to saidvalve to open said operatingcircuit when said valve is in said supply pipe, and means operated atpredetermined intervals to close said starting circuit, to close saidoperating circuit and to then open said starting circuit.

12. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipe, an electric motor for operating saidvalve, an operating circuit for said motor,-a starting circuit for saidmotor, controlling means operated by said motor to open said operatingcircuit when'said valve is in a position to connect one'of said branchpipes with said supply pipe, a timing motor, and means operated by saidtiming motor to close said starting circuit after said operating circuithas been opened, and to cause said motor to actuate said controllingmeans to cause said operating circuit to be closed and to then open saidstarting circuit.

113. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipe, an electric motor for operating saidvalve, an operating circuit for said motor, a starting circuit for saidmotor, controlling means operated by said motor to open, said operatingcircuit when said valve is in a position to connect one of said branchpipeswith said supply pipe, a timing motor, means operated by saidtiming motor to close said starting circuit after said operating circuithas been opened, and to cause said motor to actuate said controllingmeans to cause said operating circuit to be closed and to then opensaid'starting circuit, a third circuit for the first mentioned motor,means controlled by said timing motor to open said operat-. ing circuitand close said third circuit, and means controlled by said firstmentioned motor to open said thirdcircuit when said valve is in aposition.

to disconnect all of said branch pipes from said supply pipe.

. of the switches in said starting circuit when said 14. Ina mechanismof the character described, a valve casing having an inlet and aplurality of outlets, a rotatable valve member interposed between saidinlet and said outlets and having a port to connect said inletsuccessively with said outlets, an electric motor to rotate said valvemem-' her, an operating circuit for said motor, a switch in saidoperating circuit, a starting circuit for said motor, two switchesconnected in series in said starting circuit, a controlling deviceoperated by said motor in timed relation to said valve member and havingmeans to open the switch in said operating circuit and to hold the sameopen when the port-in said valve member registers with one of saidoutlets, and also having means to open one port in said valve member isin a neutral position. mechanism for closing the second switch in saidstarting circuit while the switch in said operating circuit is open andthereby actuate said controlling device to cause said switch in saidoperating of the second switch in said starting circuit.

15. In a mechanism of the character described. a valve casing having aninlet and a plurality of outlets, a rotatable valve member interposedbetween said inlet and said outlets and having a port to connect saidinlet successively with said outlets, an electric motor to rotate saidvalve member, an operating circuit for said motor, a switch in saidoperating circuit, a starting circuit for said motor, a starting switchin said starting circuit, a controlling device operated by said motor intimed relation to said valve member and-having means to open the switchin said operating circuit and hold the same open when the-port in saidvalve member registers with one of said outlets, and a motor for closingsaid start ingswitch while the switch in said operating circuit is openand thereby actuating said controlling device to cause said switch insaid operating circuit to be closed.

16. In a mechanism of the character described, a valve casing havinganinlet and a plurality member and having parts to engage saidltrip armand tilt said switch to its open position,said parts being arranged toengage said trip arm whenever theport in said valve member regis-f terswith one of said outlets, a starting switch connected in circuit withsaid motor independently of said tiltable switch, a timing motor toclose said starting switch, and a normally open tiltable switch incircuit'with said starting switch and having a trip arm, said switchcontrolling device having parts arranged to engage the trip arm ofthelast mentioned tiltable switch and close the same when the port in saidvalve memher is in a neutralposition. 17. In a mechanism of thecharacter described, a valve casing having an'inlet, and a plurality of'outlets, a rotatable valve member mounted in said'casing between saidinlet and said outlets and having a port arranged to registersuccessively with said outlets, an electric motor operatively connectedwith said valve member, an operating circuit for said motor, a startingcircuit for said motor, normally closed switches in the starting circuitand supported normally in a position to close said operating circuit, atiming motor, means controlled by said timing motor to close said secondswitch in said starting circuit after the first mentioned switch in saidoperating circuit has been opened, thereby actuating said-controllingdevice to cause the switch in said operating circuit to be closed-andmeans controlled by said timing motor to cause said two-way switch .toopen said operating circuit and close said starting circuit through thefirst mentioned switch therein, whereby said valve operating motor willcontinue to operate until said valve. has been moved to a neutralposition.

18. Ina sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe. a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively ply pipe a plurality of branch pipes, a multi-port valve toconnect said branch pipes successively v plypipe, and pressure operatedmeans to cause said motor toclose said valve when the pressure in saidsupply pipe drops to a predetermined point ply pipe is restored tonormal.

'20. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality of.branch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipes, an electric motor to operate saidvalve, an operating circuit and a starting circuit for said motor, aswitch in said operating circuit, means operated by said motor in timedrelation to said valve to open said switch when said valve is in aposition to connect one. of said branch pipes with said supply pipe andto cause said switch to be closed when said valve moves beyond saidposition, pressure operated mechanism to open said operating circuit andclose said starting circuit when the pressure in said supply pipe .fallsbelow a predetermined point and thereby cause the switch in saidoperating circuit to be closed, and to open said starting circuit andclose said operating circuit when said pressure is restored to normal.

21. In a sprinkling system or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multi-' port valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively withsaid supply pipe, a .motor to operate said valve, acontrolling device to stop said motor 'when said valve has been moved toa position to connect one of said branch pipes with said supply pipe,pressure operated means to cause said motor to close said valve/when,the

I pressure in said supply pipe drops to apredetermined point and tocause said motor to move said valve to a position to connect anotherbranch pipe with said supply pipe when the pressure in said supply pipeis restored to normal, a switch in said operating circuit to open thatcircuit independently of the first'mentioned switch and said pressureoperated means, a normally closed switch in said starting circuit, andmeans to operating circuit, means operated by said moopen'the lastmentioned switch when said valve is moved to a closed position.

22. In a sprinkling system or the like, a su ply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multiport valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipes, an electrlcmotor to operate saidvalve, an operating circuit and a starting circuit for said motor, aswitch in said tor in timed relation to said valve to open said switchwhen said valve is in a position to connect one of said branch pipeswith said supply pipe and to cause said switch to be closed when saidvalve moves beyond said position-switch means'connected with saidoperating circuit and said starting circuit independently of the first imentioned switch, and means to operate said switch means at intervals toopen said operating circuit and close said starting circuit and to thenopen said starting circuit and close saidv operating circuit.

23. In a mechanism of the character described, a valve casing having aninlet and a plurality of outlets, a valvemember to connect said inlingdevice operated by the motor in timedrela-J tion to said valve memberand having means to ing circuit and said starting circuit independent--1y of the first mentioned switches, and means to actuate said switchmeans at intervals to cause said operating circuit to be opened and saidstarting circuit to be closed at said switch means and to then open saidstarting circuit and close said operating circuit at said switch means.

24. In a sprinkling system, or the like, a supply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multiport valve to connect said branch pipes succes-'sively with said supply. pipe, an electric motor for operating saidvalve, an operating circuit for said motor, a starting circuit for saidmotor, means operated in timed relation to said valve to open saidoperating circuit when said valve is in a'position to connect one ofsaid branch pipes with said-supply pipe, means operated at predeterminedintervals to close said starting circuit, to close said operatingcircuit and tothen open saidjstarting circuit, and a pressure operatedswitch in said operating circuit to open the same when the pressure insaid supply pipe falls below a predetermined point.

25. In a sprinkling system or the like, asupply pipe, a plurality ofbranch pipes, a multiport valve to connect said branch pipessuccessively with said supply pipe, an electric motor for operating saidvalve, an operating circuit for said motor, a starting circuit for saidmotor, means operated in timed relation to said valve to open saidoperating circuit when said valve is in a position to connect one-ofsaidbranch pipes with said supplypipe, means operated at predeterminedintervals to close said starting circuit, to close said operatingcircuit-and to then open said starting circuit, a pressure operatedswitch in said operating circuit to open the same means for opening thelast mentioned switchwhen said valve is moved to its closed position.

a multi-port valve to connect said branch pipes successively with saidsupply pipe, and power operated means for actuating said valve,mechanism to automatically control the. operation of said valve,comprising means to interrupt the movement of said valve by saidactuating means when said valve has been moved to a position to connectoneof said branch pipes with said supply pipe, and a second poweroperated device oper- 26. In a sprin system or the like cornprisingasupply ipe, a.- plurality of branch pipes,

.ating at the end of a predetermined interval after the movement ofsaidvalve hasb'een interrupted to cause said actuating device to againactuate said valve and move the same to a position to connect another ofsaidbranch pipes with said supply pipe- 1 27. In a sprinkling, system orthe like comprising a supply pipe, a plurality of branch pipes, amulti-port valve to connect said branch pipes successively withsaidsupply pipe, and a motor to operate "said valve, controlling mechanismcomprising a device to cause said valve to be operated by said motor andto interrupt the movement of said valve when the latter is in a positionto connect one or said branch pipes with said" supply pipe, and a poweroperated device operating independently of the first mentioned deviceand at predetermined intervals to cause said first mentioned device tobe moved to a position which will cause said valve to be again operatedby said motor.

28. In a sprinkling system or the like comprising a supply pipe, aplurality of branch pipes and a multi-port valve to connect said branchpipes successively with said supply pipe, means to cause said valve tobe moved to a position to connect one of said branch pipes with saidsupply pipe and to retain the same in said position, other means tocause said valve to be moved from said position in a direction tointerrupt said connection, and means controlled by said movement of saidvalve to cause the first mentioned means to then operate to cause saidvalve to be moved to a position to connect the succeeding branch pipewith said supply pipe.

29. In a sprinkling system or the like comprising a supply pipe, aplurality of branch pipes, a multi-port valve to connect said branchpipes successively with said supplypipe, and power operated means foractuating said valve, con trolling mechanism comprising a deviceconnected with said valve for movement in unison therewith and arrangedto interrupt the operation of said valve by said actuating means whensaid valve has been moved to a position to connect one of said branchpipes with said supply pipe and to cause said actuating means to againactuate said valve after initial movement has been imparted to saidvalve, and means operating independently ofthe first mentioned deviceior causing said actuating means to impart initial movement to saidvalve and to said first mentioned device.

